Richmond – 18 Months in Review: A Fruitful Journey

With 10 minutes to go in Richmond’s thumping by the Pies. I decided it was time to head off, admit defeat, shake hands with a couple of Collingwood supporters and head off into the night. The long walk back to the car for the long trip back home to Casa La McCrae came the realisation that the great run Richmond had was over. In 18 months Richmond had gone from being the laughing stock of the comp, to being premiers and now defeated in the preliminary final.

Driving home that night the disappointment started to fade as I reflected on a ride I never thought would ever happen as a Richmond supporter. I remember being at the G when Mundy of Fremantle kicked a goal after siren, sitting in the Rye Hotel watching the Giants come from behind the week after. This was the time I really debated if it was all worth it. Should I continue to support the club or take up tiddlywinks, I hear the Frankston winks needed a gun player. Still I went back for more and then the journey took a turn. We got a top 4 finish through a great run of form to the finals.

It was the 100-point thrashing at Fremantle that gave me an inkling we could give it a good shake in the finals. Dusty announcing, he was resigning with the Tigers and along comes an unlikely hero in Jacob Townsend who is kicking straighter then Plugger Lockett in his heyday. Cotchin leading from the front in our first finals win in 16 years against Geelong, brought a sense of relief and joy I had not experienced since our last finals win. The strange thing is it only got better as the Tigers kept strolling through the finals.

I never have experienced the MCG as loud as when Lambert kicked the first goal of the preliminary final against the Giants in front of 97,000 supporters (95,000 were Richmond). Seeing my cuz who got me to support Richmond with tears in his eyes after we won, brought home how big it was that Richmond got through to the Grand Final. Enjoying Grand Final week which culminated in the Almanac Lunch and sharing the stage with Tigers Legend Gareth Andrews singing the Richmond Theme song.

The utter joy of Grand Final day. Walking through the streets of Richmond, chatting to other tiger supporters and sharing in some banter with the Crows supporters. The walk to the G which I have done thousands of times now felt I was walking on air. Watching The Killers entertain the crowd before the game, the anthem before the game, the first bounce and at half time just after Dusty put us 9 points in the lead came the realization that we could win this. The 2nd half was full of nerves as the Tiger Army was in full roar as Richmond dominated the Crows. I couldn’t relax until Dan Butler kicks a banana with 8 minutes to go in the game (Christ what balls to kick that!). The final siren went off and the joy of climbing a mountain that took 37 years had been fulfilled.

That summer was one of pure sweet serenity. We were the top dog and no one could take that off us. Wasn’t concerned about the draft, trade week or even the draw. We were the premiers and happily reminded any bitter supporter of other sides (insert Collingwood or Carlton) that Richmond was numero uno.

2018 season kept the Tiger train rolling along. The MCG consecutive wins were the big highlight. Massive thumping’s of Brisbane, Fremantle and Gold Coast was great. Both the Collingwood home and away games and wins against Geelong and Adelaide settled some scores. Of course the finals win against Hawthorn with Dusty’s goal on the boundary the highlight of season 2018.

So it all came to an end last Friday, however unlike previous season’s there is a lot to look forward to. With the addition of a certain player from the Suns, 2019 looks to be another good season for the Tigers.

EAT EM ALIVE!

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Obsessed with Richmond, Luton Town, Melbourne Victory and Arsenal. The Dr had a soccer career hampered by the realisation he was crap, but could talk his way around the game. Currently on Southern FM with The Peoples Court and co host of Goodfellas Football podcast with Steve Baker

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Comments

You’ve captured my feelings exactly. What a blissful summer that was.
But this year, despite the disappointment of the prelim, I have faith that we’re in great shape on and off the field and we’ll bounce back.

And mine too, Dr. However, I think Friday night needs to be a line in the sand on our rose-coloured reflections. That game (and arguably our loss to West Coast in May) proved that we were not ahead of the pack in the way that our numbers suggested and many commentators argued. Next year shapes up as a fascinating one with a bunch of teams shaping as genuine contenders. Richmond is in that bunch but I’m not sure exactly where.

Pete
Markov’s going to have to assassinate Short to get that hbf spot! Where’s our most improved in 2018??
Not sure about Menadue either.
Do you reckon Lloyd will still be at Punt Road in 2019?
Yeah I know it’s Grand Final day but while the winners are celebrating and the losers are commiserating, why shouldn’t we be plotting?

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